Am I A "Radical" "Missional" Christian?

Being a “radical,” “missional,” Christian is slowly becoming the “new legalism.” We need more ordinary God and people lovers (Matt 22:36-40). This statement tweeted by Anthony Bradley caught my attention.

So I read the reference in Matthew. 

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

And I read this article "The New Legalism: Missional, Radical, Narcissistic and Shamed" that was inspired by responses to Anthony Bradley's statement on twitter. As I read I found myself nodding my head in agreement with some points, feeling a little puzzled about others, as well as shaking my head in disagreement at others. 

Then I read the comments. Not all of them, there are a LOT. Apparently this issue hits home for a lot of people. And there are many varying opinions on this whole subject of following Jesus in a "radical" or "missional" way and how exactly we're supposed to go about loving our neighbor. I read until my head started spinning and then I read a little more.

And then I walked away and thought about it awhile. 

And I had to wonder what Jesus really thought about this whole debate. I'm not sure that He would be against having this discussion. It's probably a good one to have, when carried on respectfully and without name calling. But, if He were standing here to give us His perspective I wonder what He would say. 

And I think maybe He would say that "radical" "missional" Christian living looks different for each one of us and for many of us it looks different at different times in our lives. Maybe He would say that we should not be too focused on what the trends are, or what one particular teacher, preacher or author is telling us but instead be listening to what He is telling us individually as walk with Him. 

I know personally, I've wondered about this issue, wondered if I'm doing enough, wondered if I am really living out God's plan for my life, wondered if I've missed something "great" I'm supposed to be doing. But over and over, He reminds me that as long as I'm following Him, spending time with Him daily, and by His grace carrying out what He's asking me to do in this moment, showing His love to those He places in my path, than I am living the life He wants me to live. It's up to me to follow, where He leads me is His choice.

And really, no matter how ordinary I am, if I am truly a God and people lover, my life is probably going to be pretty radical and missional whether others notice or not.

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Pursuing a Calling You Do Not Understand

I've read or heard Hebrews 11 so often that I sometimes find myself skimming over it or tuning out simply because I am so familiar both with this passage and with the stories mentioned in it. But as I read it one morning recently it suddenly became very vivid to me. These are some truly amazing things done through people of God because of their faith. And I'm talking about truly mind blowing.

The story of Noah is one of my favorite. I imagine him building day after day, even though he could not really comprehend what is was God was telling him, yet remaining faithful. There is a sign I often see in the little town I live in that says - "They laughed at Noah too - until it rained." Because of Noah's faith he was able to build an architectural marvel and to save the lives of his family. And through saving the life of his family he preserved the future of the human race - their continuance and the hope of their salvation.

 Never underestimate the power of obedience through faith to a calling you do not completely understand.    Click to Tweet

And Noah is just one person listed in this chapter -Abel, Enoch Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Gideon, David, Rahab, Joshua, Mary - and the list goes on and on. Every one of them ordinary people, people like you and me who could have just gone on being ordinary people, but instead chose to live by faith and choose the extraordinary.

I for one want to live in the extraordinary! How about you? I would love to hear from you in the comments.

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Pray Without Ceasing!

1 Thessalonians 5:17 

"The position of our text is very suggestive. Observe what it follows. It comes immediately after the precept, "Rejoice evermore;" as if that command had somewhat staggered the reader, and made him ask "How can I always rejoice?" and, therefore, the apostle appended as answer, "Always pray." The more praying the more rejoicing. Prayer gives a channel to the pent-up sorrows of the soul, they flow away, and in their stead streams of sacred delight pour into the heart. At the same time the more rejoicing the more praying; when the heart is in a quiet condition, and full of joy in the Lord, then also will it be sure to draw nigh unto the Lord in worship. Holy joy and prayer act and react upon each other."

C. H. Spurgeon, March 10,1872

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He Saw Jesus

It was a fairly typical weekday lunch time. The kids and I sat at the kitchen table eating and talking. The bird feeder just beyond the kitchen window was busy with a variety of birds and we were enjoying watching them and talking about the different kinds of birds we saw. Suddenly, in the middle of a sentence  Michael interrupted himself. "I saw Jesus!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining. Of course we all looked in the direction he was looking, but saw nothing unusual.  "Where?" one of the other kids asked, puzzled. "Oh He went up to Heaven" he replied casually as if seeing Jesus in our yard on His way to Heaven was an every day occurrence. He then went on with the previous conversation as if he had never changed the subject. The rest of us had a little trouble switching back so quickly, but within a few minutes the announcement seemed forgotten.

But I didn't forget quite so easily. In fact it was on my mind all day and I wondered what the meaning of this was or if there was any meaning to it. Was it just an overactive imagination? Did He really see something? Why didn't I get to see it? When I looked out the window I didn't see anything out the ordinary. And, while I don't have any solid answers to any of these questions it did lead me on some interesting paths of thought.

Michael has been very curious recently about where exactly Jesus is. "Where is Jesus?" is a question he has asked often. "Is He in Heaven?" I answer that yes, He is in Heaven, but He's also all around us and when we love Him He lives in our hearts as well. At this point he will sometimes look down toward his chest and say "Jesus, are You in there?" or "I love Jesus" One night after he had gone to bed I heard him talking to himself and peaked at him to see him and patting his arms, his legs, his stomach and saying "Jesus is in in here, and in here, and in here." Another time, while he was eating I heard him say "Jesus is in me, I'm feeding Jesus." And while this is cute and sweet and makes me smile indulgently I  realize that there is something I am learning from it as well. 

Because he is teaching me what it's like to truly seek to know and understand Jesus and to find Him and live in His Presence. While his is a very childlike searching, it is also a very real quest for him. And I believe that quest is being honored in his young life in ways that he sees and understands even if I don't. In Mark 10:14-15 Jesus  said “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Jesus loved, and still loves the heart that searches for him with childlike faith, whether in a child or an adult. This is how I want to seek Him today and every day.

And I have to say I find it very comforting to think of Jesus walking through my yard on His way to Heaven. 

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So Glad to Go the House of the Lord

I rejoiced with those who said to me,

"Let us go to the house of the Lord."

Psalm 122:1

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25

It is a beautiful thing to be able to go to the house of the Lord and worship Him with others. 

Not because everyone there is perfect. They're not. And if they were that would change the minute I walked in the door. 

Not because that is the only place God is. No, He can be found anywhere we seek Him. 

Not because those four walls make up the church. No, the church is made up of His people, whether inside a church building or not.

Not because the church I attend is the only church sharing truth and God's love. No, there are churches all across this country (and the world) that are doing the same.

Simply because it is a wonderful privilege to be able to come together and encourage each other in our worship of Him Who brings us all together with His love. It is an encouragement to hear the praises lifted to Him by those around us, knowing they too live in the day to day world each day and yet He is faithful to them as well as to us. It is a privilege to be able to encourage someone else through prayer, through praise, through sharing His Word, and to be encouraged ourselves through the same. 

Yes, I am glad this morning that I have the blessing of going to the house of the Lord.

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Robot Unit Study

We recently finished a Robot unit study. There were actually a few more activities I wanted to do with the kids but I couldn't seem to get my supplies together and it seemed like they were starting to be ready for a change of pace so I brought it to an end. I'm sure we will revisit this topic at some point because there are a lot of fun activities that could be incorporated. The ones we did are pretty basic activities but we still had a lot of fun with them.

Robot Books 

Robot Videos

Counting Numbers 1-10 With Robot Ralph, I've Got a Robot, Little Robots-Robopop-Song, Color Robot, Robot Sings ABC's!

Robot Crafts/Coloring Pages/Worksheets

Activities From the Robot Preschool Pack From Homeschool Creations 

Rr is for Robot (Robot Preschool Pack Part 2)

Robot Graphing (Robot Preschool Pack Part 2)
Graphing activities are always fun.

 Do-A-Dot Robot Pictures(Robot Preschool Pack Part 2)
This activity was a big favorite.

Robot Numbers (Robot Preschool Pack Part 1)

 Robot Beginning Sound Worksheet (Robot Preschool Pack Part 2)

 Number Puzzles (Robot Preschool Pack Part 2

 Robot Shape Word Tracers (Robot Preschool Pack Part 1)

Robot Coloring Pages

More Robot Coloring Pages

R is For Robot

Cut and Paste Robots

I think Damien's robot (top right) had an explosion. I gave the kids the cut out pieces, glue sticks and a couple pictures to give them ideas and told them they could put their robot's together however they wanted.

Robot Memory Game

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This Is the Day!

photo credit: Marcus

There's beauty in the morning routine. Sometimes I have to look for it. Eyes still longing for the sleep, remembering the warmth of the covers and the hazy dream lurking at the edges of my consciousness, I want to curl back under the covers and return to dream land.

But there is beauty here in this moment. Lighting a scented candle,  drinking a cup of the coffee brewed by my husband who was up and out before me, spending a few minutes in the Word - my anchor for the day. I open the curtains to greet the day, hear bird song. Start the tea for teenagers about to wake up. Open the chicken coop and laugh at their silly antics as the hens run out to see what treats I may have brought them this morning. Little feet hit the floor and pitter patter down the stairs, more little feet come through the door to spend the day with us.Baby smiles with a side of drool. Cereal bowls, banana peels, spilled juice, giggles and squeals. 

The day has begun and it's going to be a good one!

This is the day that the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

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